(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread

[carol/houston]

We are wanting to change our ressie from BWV 2 bedroom to VWL 2 bedroom July 18-24. I booked directly through Disney on Feb. 1st. The Grandkids now tell me that they would like to stay at VWL again and there is no availability for a 2 bedroom at this time. The CM said around 30 to 40 days out, if DVC folks have not rented the rooms they will be made available for booking through Disney. Does anyone know a way to check to see how many of the 2 bedrooms are now booked with DVC or what the chances are of any of the 2 bedrooms being released at a later date?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hello! I hope that everyone is doing well. We're arriving in just under a month for our WL stay. I wondered how soon before we travel can I expect to receive the travel documents or do they not send anything ahead of time? I thought I remembered them sending some sort of envelope of info, etc.

Thanks!

Do you mean DME documents? Those are usually sent about 4 weeks prior to arrival, I believe. If you're concerned about not receiving something, just give the WDTC/CRO a call today and ask them. Best to put your mind at ease. But, generally nothing is sent for room-only bookings. Packages should receive a mailer with some luggage tags and info.

Can't wait 3 days till my first stay at the WL .. Totally excited

Only two days now! I hope you have a fantastic vacation

So what kind of rehab/refurb is going to start? Is it soft goods or more in depth? Thanks!

We are thinking of trying CL for our upcoming Jul/Aug. trip!

On the first page - post #1, I have a WL rehab blurb that I keep updated. The rehab is a top to bottom (hard) rehab of WL rooms only. It will include all fixtures, carpeting, plumbing-related items, vanities... I'm not sure if it will include all furniture, but I'm going to find out from the mgr. in about two weeks and I'll post more updates here.

All of the CL rooms on the 7th floor might be completed by your dates. The North Wing will start in April and the South Wing is slated to be done July 27th. You'll just love CL at WL - I highly recommend it!

We are wanting to change our ressie from BWV 2 bedroom to VWL 2 bedroom July 18-24. I booked directly through Disney on Feb. 1st. The Grandkids now tell me that they would like to stay at VWL again and there is no availability for a 2 bedroom at this time. The CM said around 30 to 40 days out, if DVC folks have not rented the rooms they will be made available for booking through Disney. Does anyone know a way to check to see how many of the 2 bedrooms are now booked with DVC or what the chances are of any of the 2 bedrooms being released at a later date?

I just checked the WDW booking site and there is a Deluxe Studio and a One Bedroom available, but you're correct, no two bedroom. I even shifted your dates a day or two and no two bedroom came up. I don't know how to check DVC room allocation, but I would suggest that you keep checking the WDW booking site and/or calling the CRO/WDTC periodically as people cancel/change reservations all the time, especially just prior to the 45 day period for package refunds and even just prior to the 5 day period for room-only refunds.

Also, you might want to consider a split stay if you can find the two bedroom available for even part of your vacation and then keep BWV for the other part of your vacation. Grumpy Grandma is doing a BWV/VWL split in October and I'm doing a BWI/CL-WL/CL split in less than two weeks

Good luck and I hope you get your two bedroom back!

 

[want2bamommy]

Do you mean DME documents? Those are usually sent about 4 weeks prior to arrival, I believe. If you're concerned about not receiving something, just give the WDTC/CRO a call today and ask them. Best to put your mind at ease. But, generally nothing is sent for room-only bookings. Packages should receive a mailer with some luggage tags and info.

Thanks. We do have dining and the room booked but not tickets so maybe we won't receive anything. We are also driving down rather than flying. I just know there was an issue with Disney having our old address listed even though we've traveled after that and used our current address for that trip. So I wanted to call if I should receive some sort of paperwork in the mail.

 

[pauldel]

We are planning our vacation for this year. We usually stay at the WL but decided to try out the VWL this year. Anyone has any comparisons they would like to share as to staying at the VWL v. the WL? Thanks!

 

[scanne]

On the first page - post #1, I have a WL rehab blurb that I keep updated. The rehab is a top to bottom (hard) rehab of WL rooms only. It will include all fixtures, carpeting, plumbing-related items, vanities... I'm not sure if it will include all furniture, but I'm going to find out from the mgr. in about two weeks and I'll post more updates here.

All of the CL rooms on the 7th floor might be completed by your dates. The North Wing will start in April and the South Wing is slated to be done July 27th. You'll just love CL at WL - I highly recommend it!

Thank you for the info!!! It is appreciated.

 

[bluecastle]

Thanks. We do have dining and the room booked but not tickets so maybe we won't receive anything. We are also driving down rather than flying. I just know there was an issue with Disney having our old address listed even though we've traveled after that and used our current address for that trip. So I wanted to call if I should receive some sort of paperwork in the mail.

We are doing room only (August '12), also driving, and I have made some ADRs online, and have received one of those "welcome to the so and so family, here's some info made just for you" letters with a small brochure with suggestions on where we might like to eat and play. If you haven't received anything in the mail from them since you made your res, I would probably call and ask for a hard copy of your res just to make sure it comes to the right address. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

 

[bluecastle]

Scanne- I noticed in your sig that last summer you did a Royal Pacific/WL stay. That's what we're doing this year. We are only staying 1 night at the RP though-just to get early entry into HP the next morning before going over to Disney. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated-especially since you also did it in the extremely hot and humid month of August. Thanks!

 

[carol/houston]

I just checked the WDW booking site and there is a Deluxe Studio and a One Bedroom available, but you're correct, no two bedroom. I even shifted your dates a day or two and no two bedroom came up. I don't know how to check DVC room allocation, but I would suggest that you keep checking the WDW booking site and/or calling the CRO/WDTC periodically as people cancel/change reservations all the time, especially just prior to the 45 day period for package refunds and even just prior to the 5 day period for room-only refunds.

Also, you might want to consider a split stay if you can find the two bedroom available for even part of your vacation and then keep BWV for the other part of your vacation. Grumpy Grandma is doing a BWV/VWL split in October and I'm doing a BWI/CL-WL/CL split in less than two weeks

Good luck and I hope you get your two bedroom back!

Thanks for checking WDWKOOK. I will keep checking online and with CRO. We have stayed at the BWV before and enjoyed it so even if we are not able to change to the VWL we will be just fine at BWV. I think with moving 7 people a split stay just seems like a lot of trouble for us....maybe if we were staying longer than 6 nights it might work.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[scanne]

Scanne- I noticed in your sig that last summer you did a Royal Pacific/WL stay. That's what we're doing this year. We are only staying 1 night at the RP though-just to get early entry into HP the next morning before going over to Disney. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated-especially since you also did it in the extremely hot and humid month of August. Thanks!

Hi! So on our check out day from RP last summer, we got up super early, checked out and stored our luggage and got to the gates of IOA an hour before opening. If I recall correctly, they let resort guests in early...

We went straight back to WWoHP and got in line for Forbidden Journey. If you have young kids, be warned that it is an INTENSE ride. My DS (now 9) did not ride it at all. My DD (now 7) did ride but was freaked out! They did love Flight of the Hippogriff.

I also recommend getting in the Olivander's line first if you can wait for Forbidden Journey a little later. I did wait 40 minutes for FJ later on in the morning and it wasn't bad at all. Olivander's only lets 20 or so guests in at a time and it's TINY. It is worth it once, so I would do that befor FJ. It will get crowded (wall-to-wall people) crowded later in the morning/early afternoon, but if you plan well, you can see all of WWoHP before noon. We had lunch at Mythos last summer, but the summer before that, we had breakfast at THe Three Broomsticks. They also have lunch. I don't know if you can make a reservation there or not.

Butterbeer lines get LONG! The candy store gets packed, too. So the earlier you get there the better.

Hope this helped! Have fun!!!
And as far as the heat goes, drink tons of water and I try to bring a small squirt bottle that I can refill in the water fountains. Comfy shoes are a must, too. I like crocs or teva mush sandals. I don't care for sneakers in the heat....

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

We are wanting to change our ressie from BWV 2 bedroom to VWL 2 bedroom July 18-24. I booked directly through Disney on Feb. 1st. The Grandkids now tell me that they would like to stay at VWL again and there is no availability for a 2 bedroom at this time. The CM said around 30 to 40 days out, if DVC folks have not rented the rooms they will be made available for booking through Disney. Does anyone know a way to check to see how many of the 2 bedrooms are now booked with DVC or what the chances are of any of the 2 bedrooms being released at a later date?

You may also want to rent points from a DVC owner. I think if anything is available it might save you some money. I'd suggest checking the DVC section right here on the DIS. Good luck but I'm sure you and the grandkids will have fun no matter where you stay!!!

Edited: I just checked the DVC member website a 2 bdrm villa is only available for 4 nights but a 2 bdrm lockoff is available for your entire stay. Now all you need to do is find someone with points to rent you. Agian good luck!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

So I'm a little sad this morning. I've been on the DVC member website and I need a studio Oct 18, 19 and 20th but there's for the first two nights. So at this point is looks like my perfect split of BWV and VWL isn't going to work for me. I can't book until the morning so I may do a waitlist or I may just book AKV. I do love AKV but I've stayed there on my last two trips and DD really wanted VWL. Oh well all is good .... I'll be at Disney!!!

 

[want2bamommy]

We are doing room only (August '12), also driving, and I have made some ADRs online, and have received one of those "welcome to the so and so family, here's some info made just for you" letters with a small brochure with suggestions on where we might like to eat and play. If you haven't received anything in the mail from them since you made your res, I would probably call and ask for a hard copy of your res just to make sure it comes to the right address. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

Thanks! Ironically enough the package was in the mail today, lol. Woo hoo. That makes it seem so close now .

 

[carol/houston]

You may also want to rent points from a DVC owner. I think if anything is available it might save you some money. I'd suggest checking the DVC section right here on the DIS. Good luck but I'm sure you and the grandkids will have fun no matter where you stay!!!

Edited: I just checked the DVC member website a 2 bdrm villa is only available for 4 nights but a 2 bdrm lockoff is available for your entire stay. Now all you need to do is find someone with points to rent you. Agian good luck!

Thanks for checking the DVC member website for me. I think we will just stay with the BWV. I will keep checking just in case something becomes available at VWL.

You are so right about the grandkids having fun no matter where we stay!

 

[jlcd]

Wondering if there is a hair wrap stand out by the pool still? TIA!

 

[Sue M]

The hair wrap station was there in January.

 

[bedogged]

Looking forward to our 9 night May trip at WL! Could someone please tell me if the bus pickup order is still Wilderness Lodge first?

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

No DVC studio available for Oct 18 & 19th on the members website. Maybe I'll waitlist it????

 

[WDWKOOK]

Looking forward to our 9 night May trip at WL! Could someone please tell me if the bus pickup order is still Wilderness Lodge first?

Yippee for your WL vacation! Yes, WL is still the first stop.

No DVC studio available for Oct 18 & 19th on the members website. Maybe I'll waitlist it????

I just checked the WDW booking site and there is a Deluxe Studio available for your nights. Could you hold that?

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Yippee for your WL vacation! Yes, WL is still the first stop.



I just checked the WDW booking site and there is a Deluxe Studio available for your nights. Could you hold that?

Thanks for checking but that's a different inventory .... not available for booking on points. I think the best thing for me to do at this point is to waitlist those nights .... if it doesn't come thru I'm sure I'll be able to get a studio at OKW or SSR .... even at the last minute. Or my other thought is to book AKV now .... which I love. Think I'll just think about it for a day.

 

[bedogged]

Yippee for your WL vacation! Yes, WL is still the first stop.



I just checked the WDW booking site and there is a Deluxe Studio available for your nights. Could you hold that?

Thank you so much for the bus information! It makes such a big difference if you are using an ECV.